Officially. Regarding the procedure for using VAR in UPL championship matches

25.10.2022 18:32

Photo of UAF press service

Recently, there have been questions regarding the organization of VAR work in matches of the championship of Ukraine, so the UAF and the UPL provide clarification on the procedure for using the system.

Number of VARs in Ukraine

To date, three VAR systems have been completed in Ukraine. The first VAR van was purchased entirely at the expense of the UAF. The second and third VARs were purchased at the expense of UAF and partially at the expense of UPL.

All vans with VAR are located on the territory of Ukraine.

VAR financing

In order for the VAR van to work at the match, it is necessary to additionally finance:

— the work of replay operators;

— the work of other technical personnel;

— logistic and other operational costs;

— licenses for the use of software and the direct work of VAR referees.

Appointment of VAR at the match

The appointment of VAR at a UPL match is carried out in accordance with the regulations, with which all clubs were familiarized before the start of the competition, according to the following procedure.

In order to determine matches for the application of the VAR system in football competitions among professional teams in the 2022/2023 season, a special commission is created with the following composition:

— O. V. Protasov — first vice-president of the UAF;

— E. S. Dykiy — executive director of the OPFCU "Premier League";

— Luchi Luciano — head of the Committee of Referees of the UAF.

If it is necessary to use the VAR system in PFL competitions, the president of PFL Kadenko O.V.

The decision of the specially created UAF commission provides for the option of appointing one VAR van at the Ukrainian Football Championship matches at the expense of the UAF.

The second and third VAR vans are open for booking by clubs. To consider such an order, the club must send a duly completed application. The format of this application is stipulated by the regulations on holding the Ukrainian football championship and the contract between the UPL and the UAF. Such an application must contain:

— the date of the match;

— the name of the stadium where the match is planned;*

— guarantees of payment (i.e. technical base and human resources).

*The name of the stadium is required to understand whether the stadium is already certified according to FIFA requirements to host matches with the VAR system.

In the event that the application is submitted by the visiting team, such applicant club must also add written consent from the host team of the match to accept the VAR system within its own sports infrastructure in accordance with the requirements specified in UPL regulations (Appendix No. 20).

Only those applications are accepted for consideration, which are drawn up in accordance with the prescribed procedure, and the decision on satisfaction or refusal is notified to the club in the specified position, posted on the UPL website, terms in the form of the minutes of the meeting of the aforementioned commission. In practice, the club's response is provided within one to three days.